Idea acf1573:

Rack' N' Roll - Youth Foundry Art Training Program

Posted October 20, 2009

• Posted by: Liz Forsberg
• Organization: Art Starts
• Location: Toronto
• Category: Support Youth
• Cost: Big ($50,000 – $250,000)

Who We Are: Art Starts is a charitable, not for profit organization committed to arts-based community development in the city of Toronto. Our mandate is to build healthier communities using the arts. At Art Starts we understand that the arts are a medium for engaging residents, creating a shared sense of identity, identifying challenges and collectively working to overcome them.

Art Starts uses the arts as a vehicle to encourage social change in at-risk neighbourhoods. We offer high quality, responsive and relevant creative opportunities to those who do not have access – namely people living in underserved and stressed communities. We bring together professional artists with people from various neighbourhoods and create projects and programs in all artistic media, with all ages, with artists and participants from various ethnic backgrounds. We reflect the cultures of the neighbourhood and build bridges among them. Through programs such as School of Rap and In the Hood and community-engaged public art pieces such as the Strength in Numbers mural and the Glendower Basketball Mosaic we have become known for our ability to engage youth in meaningful artistic projects that build community all the while providing jobs and training opportunities.

Our Idea: Through a project called ’ Rack ‘n Roll' we will work with bike rack sculptor Phil Sarazen to train over two dozen youth in the production of 50 sculptural bicycle racks that reflect local history and character. In addition to providing much needed skills-training opportunities for economically marginalized youth in under-served neighbourhoods, the bike racks will beautify urban streetscapes, provide much needed bike parking for an increasing number of cyclists and promote healthy lifestyles and sustainable transit choices.

Working with the artist, the youth will be trained in every stage of sculptural bike rack production from research to the design, fabrication and installation of the racks. It is anticipated that once the project is up and running, it could become self-sustaining through businesses wishing to purchase sculptural bike racks for their employees and customers to use. It has huge potential to provide meaningful, ongoing employment for youth.

Thanks for your support!

• 

  A bike rack at the ROM
  One of the many playful bike racks collaboratively produced by artist/welder Phil Sarazen
  October 20, 2009 @ 5:11 PM

  
  
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  Bike racks in Parkdale
  
  October 20, 2009 @ 5:13 PM

  
  
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  A bike rack in process
  Phil has trained many people how to make these sculptural bike racks
  October 20, 2009 @ 5:17 PM

  
  
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  Community design meeting for the 2009 mural
  Youth facilitated a community design meeting to incorporate ideas from the neighbourhood residents into the mural.
  October 20, 2009 @ 5:25 PM

  
  
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  Art Starts' 'Strength in Numbers' mural in Toronto
  An Art Starts crew made up of seven youth painted a critically acclaimed bike-themed mural in the summer of 2009. In the process they learned how to facilitate community consultations, design and produce a 400 foot mural. And all in less than a month!
  October 20, 2009 @ 5:34 PM

  
  

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Only most recent 1,000 comments are shown.

• Joseph

  Very cool idea!
  October 20, 2009 @ 8:12 PM EST

  
  

• fatima kazmi

  Amazing! I hope to see these bike racks soon.. Way to go ART STARTS!
  October 21, 2009 @ 10:27 AM EST

  
  

• rors

  Wonderful!!! I know our youth are very talented, so happy that projects like this are available.
  October 21, 2009 @ 1:32 PM EST

  
  

• anagraphia

  you go -! all my support is yours!
  October 21, 2009 @ 10:27 PM EST

  
  

• cskmhenry

  What an fantastic idea to turn something utilitarian into a work of art! Good luck!
  October 22, 2009 @ 9:10 AM EST

  
  

• guest

  This could liven up a lot of public spaces. I agree it has great potential.
  October 22, 2009 @ 9:54 AM EST

  
  

• Erin Schac

  Brilliant. I hope this works out!
  October 22, 2009 @ 10:49 AM EST

  
  

• Freska416

  What a wonderful idea - the racks would be functional, beautiful and the youth would have an amazing experience! Rack on Art Starts!
  October 22, 2009 @ 12:20 PM EST

  
  

• lswimme

  I love the idea!
  October 22, 2009 @ 12:28 PM EST

  
  

• My1stwheels!

  This is a great idea. You have my support! ...Lenni from My first wheels!
  October 22, 2009 @ 2:52 PM EST

  
  

• Robin

  Art Starts rules -- this is brilliant!!
  October 22, 2009 @ 11:10 PM EST

  
  

• tamaratextil

  Very cool idea! I've seen similar, very public art pieces and they really can enliven a place. Good luck with this!
  October 23, 2009 @ 9:13 AM EST

  
  

• brooke

  This is among my favourites in the contest.
  October 23, 2009 @ 11:50 AM EST

  
  

• crystal

  Nice project - and not just a handout.
  October 23, 2009 @ 6:02 PM EST

  
  

• Mianne

  Great idea ... not only do our cityspaces need beautification, these racks will cast a positive light on cycling, and in effect, on transportational pollution.
  October 27, 2009 @ 11:09 AM EST

  
  

• Mianne

  Sorry, I meant a *negative light* on transportational pollution
  October 27, 2009 @ 11:09 AM EST

  
  

• Arthur

  Good luck! (in a positive light) I like the bike racks in Parkdale!
  October 27, 2009 @ 2:15 PM EST

  
  

• teacher

  Very imaginative!
  October 27, 2009 @ 2:34 PM EST

  
  

• HRoundtree

  Innovative art which is useful, practical and binds a community!
  November 1, 2009 @ 6:51 AM EST

  
  

• Lauren

  Art Starts continues to impress!! What an awesome idea... I really like how this project incorporates function, design and education/skills training. It's what Toronto youth need: creative opportunities to achieve success!!!
  November 12, 2009 @ 5:17 PM EST

  
  

• BirdOnAWire

  I hope to see many of your bike racks in the downtown area. Love the idea and look forward to locking my bike onto one of them.
  November 13, 2009 @ 2:36 PM EST

  
  

• Liz

  Thanks for all the wonderful feedback. Keep it coming!!!! :)
  November 16, 2009 @ 4:55 PM EST

  
  

• xox

  ya bike racks!
  November 17, 2009 @ 2:00 PM EST

  
  

• jenn

  Amazing idea by a fantastic organization!
  November 19, 2009 @ 11:53 AM EST

  
  

• nanci

  Creative and amazing. We need to do this in Vancouver too!
  November 20, 2009 @ 12:52 PM EST

  
  

• Liz

  Thank you... if we manage to get this project off the ground we will most definitely share our stories so that it can be replicated elsewhere!
  November 20, 2009 @ 1:05 PM EST

  
  

• Cerise

  A wonderful addition to city infrastructure!
  November 25, 2009 @ 2:24 PM EST